Core loading machine



Jan.27,v 1959 L. H. LANIER, sR., ETAL ,870,588

CORE LOADING MACHINE '7 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 2. 1954 IN V EN TORSM 3 UNI...

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CORE LOADING MACHINE Filed March 2. 1954 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN V EN TORS.

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CORE LOADING MACHINE Filed March 2. 1954 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 IN V EN TORS.

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United States 2,870,588 CORE QAPM? MA HiNE Application March}, 1954,Serial No. 413,582 14 Claims. (Cl. 53-197.

This invention relates to materialhandling equipment and is particularlydirected .toa machine for automatically loading a plurality ofhollowcores onto an elongated m'andrel.

At the present time, there are many products which are marketed in theform of a roll of material wound about a stilf tubular core.- Amongthese products are adding machine rolls, cash register rolls, and thelike, which comprise a long strip of paper tightly wound about a woodenor heavy cardboard. core. Similarly, lengths of gummed tape and narrowstrips of guaze and plastic material are often wound about small tubularcores to form conveniently handled packages;

Many machines have been developed for rapidly winding various stripmaterials upon a core. In" these machines a plurality of empty cores'are loaded in en'dyto end relationship on a mandrel or elongate rod,which supports the cores in the winding machine. The winding machinesimultaneously winds a predetermined length of material on each of thecores and automatically 'severs the material, after'which' the mandrelis removed and a new one inserted; Most winding machines operate withextreme rapidity, a single machine frequently being adapted to wind overa thousand, 'roll's an hour. Because of the high rate at'whichthe coresare wound, it is impossible for a single workman to load cores on amandrel and feed the mandrel to the winding machine as rapidly as themachine winds the cores. Consequently, either the winding machine isoperated at an inefficient rate, appreciably below its capacity; or anextra workman is employed merely to'load cores onto themandrels.

The present invention is directed to a core loading machine forautomatically loading a mandrel with a pre- In this machine a largenumber of cores are dumped into a hopper and are removed from the hopperin succession by a mechanism which feeds'them'onto a mandrel until' apredetermined number have been placed on themandrel, at which time thefeeding mechanism is stopped. The mandrel is then removed, eithermanually or mechanically and is replaced with an empty one whichisautomatically loaded with cores, in the same manner as the previousmandrel.

More specifically, a preferred form of mandrel loading machineconstructed inaccorda'nce with the present invention'includes a large"hopper int-o which'the cores are dumped. The hopper includes a mainupper chamber and a smaller lower chamberwhich is at least partiallyseparated from the'upper chamber by means of a lateral shelf. Means suchas a hinged hopper wall and asuitable linkage mechanism for vibratingthe wall are provided for agitating the cores to prevent them fromjamming in the upper chamber. Consequently, the cores continually dropinto the lower chamber where they are also agitated by a Vibrating wall.The cores are'serially removed from the lower chamber by means of analigning wheel frictionally engaging the cores and including asubstantially channel shaped discharge track into which aterit Z thecores drop in end to end abutment. From the aligning wheel, the coresare discharged into a trough where they are frictionallyretarded andthen are forced by a pusher mechanism onto the'end of a mandrelsupported in alignment with the trough. A cut ofi switch is actuatedwhen a predetermined number of cores have been placed upon the mandrelto stop the. operation of the feeding mechanism.

One of theprincipal advantages of the present core loading machine i sthat its useexpedites the production of finished rolls so that a singleworker operating both a loading machine and a winding machine can turnout approximately 20 to 30 percent morerolls than he can turn outloading the mandrels by hand. Or on the other hand, in those jplants nowemploying a separate workman to load cores for each winding machine,this second workman can beeliminated and a single workman can operateboth the core loading-machine anda winding machine without any decreasein production.

Another advantage of the present core loading machine is that itrequires a rninimum of attention from an operator. dumps a large supplyof cores into thehopper directly from the sack or other container, inwhich the cores are received. There is no sorting or arranging of coresrequired. 'He also places a mandrel in the supports which hold itinitsloa'ding p'osition. Then, after the mandrel has 'been'loaded, issimply picked up by the operator and replaced with an empty one. Ininserting and removin'g'mandrelsfthe operator does not need to actuateany jaws-or other mandrel clamping mechanisms. Furthermore, in 'the'preferred embodiment including an automatic mandrel positioning membenthe operator does not eveiijh'ave to place'the mandrels in the loadingposition. Instead, he merely places a' supply of empty mandrelsin'asupplyuack' and then removes the loaded mandrels from a storagerack. The machine automatically transfers mandrels from the supply rackto the loading position aiidlalso transfers loaded mandrels fromtheloading position to a storage rack where they are readily accessible.4

An additional advantage of the present machine is that it is completelydependable in operation and includes means effective to prevent thecores from jamming in either the hopper or discharge mechanism so thatthe machine can be kept in continuous operation without requiring theattention of an operator to periodically straighten out the cores. i

A further advantage of the present core loading machine is that it isextremely simple in construction and is simple and economical tomanufacture. In the preferred embodiment, a single electric motoroperates the discharge member and pusher mechanism and vibrates a wallof the hopper to agitate the cores.

These and other advantages of the present invention will be more readilyapparent from a further consideration of the following detaileddescription of the drawings showing a' preferred embodiment of theinvention.

'In the drawings:

Figure l'is aperspective view of a core loading machine constructed inaccordance with the present invention.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a core loading machine shown in Figure1, taken from the opposite side of the machine.

Eigure 3I'is a top yiew of the core hopper.

Figure 4 is a longitudinal cross sectional view of the core hopper takenalong line 4-4 of Figure 3 Figure 5 is across sectional view through thecore hopper and aligning wheel taken along line 55 of To start themachine in operation a workman Figure 6 is a cross sectional viewsimilar to Figure 5, showing the aligning wheel in its partiallyadvanced position. 7

Figure 7 is a side elevational view of the core feed arm. l a

Figure 8 is a cross sectional view taken along line 8+8 of Figure 7.

Figure 9 is a partial transverse cross sectional'view of the core hopperand aligning wheel taken along line 9-:9 of Figure 6.

Figure 10 is a transverse cross sectional view of the mandrelpositioning mechanism, taken along line 10--10 of Figure 4.

Figure 11 is a diagrammatic view showing the circuit connections of amodified motor control arrangement.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, a core loading machine constructed inaccordance with the present invention, comprises frame 10 having a corereceiving hopper 11 mounted at one end thereof. The hopper is preferablysufiiciently large to accommodate enough cores to sustain operation ofthe loader for at least an hour. Means 'are provided for seriallyremoving cores from the hopper to form a succession of cores in endwiseabutment ready for loading onto the end of a mandrel. These meansinclude an aligning wheel 12 having a discharge channel 13gcommunicatingwith the lowermost portion 14 of the hopper, a motor 15 and linkage 16interconnecting the motor and aligning Wheel for reciprocally drivingthe wheel. A pair of spaced arcuate rods 17, or similar trough-likeguiding means, are disposed adjacent to the discharge channel of thealigning wheel. These guiding means receive the cores from the aligningwheel and cooperate with a retarding means such as roller 18 to positionthe cores so that they can be slid over the end of fa mandrel 20 by apusher mechanism 21.

The elongate steel rod, or mandrel 20, is supported in alignment withthe end of guide 17 by means of bracket 221 and finger 23. It will beunderstood that the diameter of the mandrel is appreciably smaller thanthe central opening of a core so that the cores slide easily along themandrel. Preferably some means are provided, such as control switch 24,for automatically stopping operation of the aligning wheel and pushermechanism after-a predetermined number of cores have been inserted upona mandrel. In addition, in the preferred embodiment, a mandrel shiftingmechanism is provided for automatically transferring loaded mandrelsfrom the loading position, in alignment with the core guide, to astorage rack 25. This mechanism also is eifective to transfer emptymandrels from a supply rack to the loading position. In the preferredembodiment, the transfer mechanism is also controlled by switch 24 whichactuates a solenoid 26 to operate the transfer mechanism as explainedbelow.

More specifically, frame 10 is constructed of a plurality of memberssuch as lengths of angle bar, which are joined together as by welding orbolting. Frame 10 includes a rectangular base section 27 supporting fouruprights 28 which carry hopper 11, motor 15 and linkage for drivingaligning wheel 12. The upper ends of the four uprights areinterconnected by top members 30. Two cross members 31 and 32 arerespectively secured between the front and rear uprights below members"and aligning wheel supporting bars 33 are mounted on the uprlghtsbeneath the cross members.

Hopper 11 comprises a vertical front wall 34 secured to a top member 30and two uprights 28; front wall 34 extends downwardly below the upperedge of the aligning wheel and preferably down as far as support bar 33.This wall can be constructed of any suitable material such as, sheetmetal, plastic, wood, or the like. However, in the preferred embodiment,the wall is formed of Plexiglas which prov des the advantage that theinterior of the: hopper, and the operation of the aligning wheel canreadily be observed through it. Wall 34 is secured to the frame membersby any suitable means such as, an adhesive compound, bolts, or the like.

Rear wall 35 of the hopper is also preferably formed of Plexiglas and isjoinedto rear top member 30 and rear uprights 28. A third wall 36 of thehopper 11 extends downwardly and inwardly from a top member 30 extendingtransversely of the front and rear walls. Wall 36 is supported adjacentits upper end by angle bracket 37, which is bolted or otherwise securedto the top member and is joined to wall 36 as by means of bolts 38. Thelower end of slanting wall 36 is similarly joined to anglebracket 40,carried byv transverse bar 41 mounted upon cross members 31. The fourthwall 39 of the hopper is pivotally secured to a top member 30 by meansof hinges 42. This wall is adapted to oscillate about its pivot pointtoward and away from the slanting wall 36. These four walls togetherwith a shelf 43, extending inwardly from the front wall, as best shownin Figure 9, define the upper chamber 44 of the hopper.

In addition to these members, the hopper includes a vertical extension45 of slanting wall 36 and an oscillating plate 46 which is hingedlysecured to cross member 31 adjacent the lower edge of rear wall 35 andextends across the hopper to the upper portion of the aligning wheel.The lowermost portion of rear wall 39 of the hopper, front wall 36,shelf 43, and oscillating plate 46 define what is termed as the lowerchamber 47 of the hopper.

Aligning wheel 12 is mounted for rotation adjacent to front wall 36 ofthe hopper. The wheel comprises two substantially semi-circular plates4848,. which are mounted upon a shaft 50 journalled in bearing blocks5151, bolted or otherwise secured to bars 33. The periphery of thealigning wheel is configurated to form a discharge channel 13. Thischannel is defined by the peripheral portions of plates 48 and asemi-circular band 52, welded or otherwise secured between the platesalong a radius less than the radius of the periphery of the plates.Preferably the cross section of the discharge channel is only slightlylarger than the cross section of a core.

Each of the plates 43 is configurated to form a plurality of extensionsor core joggers 53 and 54, which function to engage the cores disposedin the lower hopper chamer to prevent the cores from lodging crosswisein the discharge channel adjacent outlet opening 55 andwall 45.

More specifically, front wall 45 is shaped to form outlet opening 55,the upper portion of which as a tongue 56 spaced from hand 52sufficiently to allow only a single core to pass between the two.Forward extensions 53 are disposed on the aligning wheel so that theyare at all times disposed adjacent to the front wall opening 55 andhereby are effective to prevent cores from becoming lodged crosswiseinfront of the discharge opening.

Movement of the cores along band 52 in a direction away from thedischarge opening is blocked by the lower edge of wall 39, whichfunctions as a back stop and is provided with a bracket 57 carrying aroller bearing 58 or other element in en agement with the band. As shownin Figure 6, band 52 carries a cam block 60, which is bolted orotherwise se ured to the band and is disposed for engagement with roller58 when the aligning wheel is in its advanced position. The action ofthis cam causes a pivotal motion of wall 39 about hinges 42 and thus Ifunctions to cause agitat on of the coresin both the upper and lowerhopper chambers. Thus the aligning wheel supports the lower end of thewall 39 and provides means for it's oscillation, while the wall in turnprevents the cores from passing along the discharge channel in the wrongdirection. Extensions 54 are disposed on the aligning wheel so that whenthe wheel is in its advanced position, these extensions are disposedadjacent to the lower end of wall 39 and function to preventcores frombecoming lodged crosswise in the discharge channel at v the juncture ofthat wall.

A floating roller 61, or other element such as a light enemas In -theembodiment shown, this 17 comprises two parallelspacedrods havingpointed ends 64 disposed withinthe discharge channel-adjacent to thejuncture of side plates 48 and band 52. These arcuate guides receivecores from the aligning wheel and guide them to ,pusher mechanism .21.

As-shown, the pusher mechanismis carried bya plate 65disposedfinterrnediate-the hopper-andmandrel supports. Pusher mechanism21 comprises a floating roller 18 or other similar element forfrictionally engaging the top ofthe cores as they slide along guide 17for retarding the cores to form a succession of cores in endwiseabutment. An angulated cam plate 66 is pivotally mounted on block 67, inturn secured to plate 65. Cam plate 66 cooperates with cam follower68mounted on block 70 carrying core-pusher finger 71 to cause block 70,follower 68 and finger 71 to describe a generally trapezoidal path.Block 70 is mounted upon the end of arm 72 which is in turn pivotallysecured to arm 73 as at 74. Arm 73 is mounted upon shaft 50 which alsocarries the aligning wheel.

When follower 68 isin engagement with the top of .cam plate 66 finger 71passes between spaced rods 17 into .rear'edge of core 76, which isconstrained against movevmerit away from the finger by segment 77 v ofstrip 63 in engagement with the top of cores 75 and 76. When the fingerstrikes the rear edge of core 76 it forces that core and core 78 awayfrom the aligning wheel toward the mandrel. After the core has beenadvanced, to force a single core 78 onto themandrel one corelength,.finger 71, is retracted from engagement with the core by thedisengagement of follower 68 with cam plate 66. When rod 72 is retractedby the oscillation-of shaft 50, follower 68 passes along plate 65beneath the cam plate and returns to its original position as shown inFigure 7.

The mandrel is supported in alignment with the end of guide 17 so thatits foot end 80, remote from the pusher mechanism, is slightlylo er thanits head end 81 nearthat mechanism. This facilitates the movement ofcores along the mandrel, although the friction between the cores andmandrel is generally sufliciently large that the cores do not slidefreely down the mandrel. The foot end '80 of the mandrel rests in anotch in support bracket 22 in abutment with end plate 82. The supportbracket 5 is carried by a plate 83, mounted upon vertical frame members84. These members are joined by cross bars 85 and 86. Lower cross bar 86is joined to stringer members 87, secured to base section 27 of theframe. A third stringer member 88 is connected to one of the uprights 28supporting hopper 11, and to member 85.

The head end 81 of the mandrel rests in pivoted support finger 23. Thisfinger has an arcuate opening, slight- 1y smaller in diameter than thediameter of the core, formed in its upper end. At its lower end, thefinger is pivotally mounted on pin 90, carried by block 91, in turnmounted on shelf 65. One end of a spring 92 is secured to the finger forurging it into its upright position. However, the spring is weak enoughso that when a core .is forced over the end of the mandrel, the fingerrotates into the position shown in Figure 6, thus maintainingthe mandrelin alignment with the center of the cores carried by guide 17 Themandrel supporting arrangement just described .maybeemployed-alone, orifdcsired, may be used in conjunction with a mandrel transfer mechanism.As

shown, one form ofmandrel transfer mechanism comprises a supply rack 93including two end supports. The end supports are-identical; one includestwo spaced angle members94 carriedby plate 95 and forming a-down-.wardly sloping slot-adjacent to the head end of the mandrels. i-plate82atthe foot end ofthe mandrels. fined by plates 96 extends parallel tothat at the head 1W0 angle plates 96 are similarly mounted on The slotdeend or' the mandrels. 'A-plurality of mandrels are held in the slotsby means of retractable pins 97 and 98. The ends of these pins-areadapted to pass through openings vin.channel'mernbers'94 and 96 toextend across theslot.

causes clockwise rotation of the shaft, which causes lowermost pins 97to be retracted from the slots and pins 98 to be inserted across theslots. Thus, one mandrel-is dropped .fromthe storage rack at eachactuation of the solenoid.

Shaft 101 also'carries aqplurality of pusher arms 108,

disposed for engagement with a mandrel in the loading position.

Rotation of shaft 101 forces these arms against the "loaded mandrel,forcing the mandrel from engagement with-the finger 23 and support 22onto a storage rack 25. Thestorageirack isv formed by-plate 83, carryingstop 110, wedge shapedplate 111 and its associated stop-112.Support-bracket 22 is preferably. provided with a sloping surface11'3-for guiding the foot end of the mandrel as the mandrel is shiftedfrom the loading position mandrel disposedin the loading position.

to the storage rack.

.Switch 24 is mounted adjacent to the foot-end of a The switch includesa contact finger 114 disposed for engagement with a core sliding overthe mandrel. When this switch finger is shifted by a core, it opens'thecircuit to motor 15, terminating the operation of the aligning wheel andpusher mechanism. Upon opening, switch 24 also actuates solenoid 26 forshifting a loaded core from the loading position to the storage rack,and shifting an empty mandrel from the supply rack to the loadingposition. Means are provided adjacent to the switch finger forfrictionally retarding the cores in their movement along the mandrel sothat a single core sliding down the mandrel does not trip the switch.These means may be in the form of a light leaf spring or free floatingwheel engaging the cores, or the retarding means may be incorporated inthe switch in the form of a spring connected'to finger 114. The switchis not actuated until a succession of cores in endwise abutment isformed on the mandrel and .the lead core 115 on the mandrelis-positively urged against the switch finger by the action of thepusher mechanism in engagement with the core at'the other end of themandrel. Thus, switch 24 is effective to control the number of coresloaded on each mandrel.

This number may readily be. varied by turning handle 116, secured to anelongate screw member 117, journalled in post 118 and plate 103. Screw117 carries housing 120 of switch 24, and rotation of the screw causesthe housing to move toward or away from the end of the mandrel, therebyaltering the number of cores which must be loaded onto the mandrelbefore the end core actuates the switch contact.

Motor '15, which is mounted on support plate 121, can be of any suitabletype, and its operation is controlled by a'series circuit includingswitch 26, or a relay controlled by that switch, and a main startingswitch 122. One of "the features of the present machine is that the ofmain shaft 50. shaft can be varied by changing the lengths of therelathis linkage, operation of the motor causes rotation of arm 125,which in turn causes reciprocatory movement The amount of movement ofthis tive rods involved; I have found that a revolution of approximately36 provides effective operation of the aligning wheel and pushermechanism.

The reciprocation of main shaft 50 causes reciprocar tion of thealigning wheel and movement of the pusher mechanism, as explainedearlier. Reciprocation of the shaft also provides a means foroscillating rear wall 35 through the engagement of the lower end of thatwall with a cam carried by the aligning wheel. Reciprocation of shaft 50also causes vibratory movement of oscillating plate 46 through link 128,which is pivotally joined to a ferred embodiment, the mandrel loader isprovided withv a mandrel transfer mechanism, several empty mandrels areinserted in the supply rack by inserting the ends of the mandrels in theslots formed by bars 96. Main switch 122 is closed to energize motor 15,which oscillates main shaft 50 through a drive including belt 123 speedreduction unit 124 and arms 125, 126 and 127. The oscillation of shaft50 causes plate 46 of the lower hopper chamber to be vibrated throughthe movements of rod 128.

;T he oscillatory movement of main shaft 50 also causes aligning wheel12 to rotate back and forth. While the bulk of the cores are supportedabove shelf 43 in the upper chamber 44 of the hopper, a plurality ofcores drop into the lower hopper chamber 47 below the shelf. Some ofthese cores are engaged by the periphery of the aligning wheel and corejoggers 53 and 54. The repeated agitation of the cores, by means ofplate 46,wall 39'and core joggers 53 and 54 causes one or more of thecores to fall into the discharge channel in alignment therewith. Sincethe discharge channel is of only slightly greater cross-section than thecores, only a single core can fit transversely within the channel.Forward joggers 53 prevent cores from becoming lodged across the channeladjacent to wall 45.

As the aligning wheel begins its forward rotary movement, clockwise inFigure 2, a core in the discharge channel is carried from the hopperthrough discharge opening 55 by the frictional engagement of the coreand the discharge channel. The core moves downwardly along the dischargechannel and is picked up by guides 17 along which it slides until itcomes into engagement with retarding wheel 18. In the meantime, thealigning wheel is returnedto its retracted position by thecounterclockwise movement of shaft 50. 1 This causes downward movementof wall 39, since cam 60 carried by the aligning wheel has moved out ofengagement with bearing 58 carried by the bottom of wall 39. As long asmotor 15 is energized, the aligning wheel continues to operate in thismanner, delivering a succession of cores to guide 17.

Pusher mechanism 21 is simultaneously operated by the reciprocation ofmain shaft 50 through the rotary movement of arm 73 which is in turnconnected to arm 72. As arm 72 is moved forward, to the left in Figures1 and 4, follower 68 rides up along cam plate 66, raising finger 71which passes between guide rods 17 into engagement with the under sideof the cores carried by the guide rods.

The finger lifts any core itengages, which is not constrained by segment77 of'arcuate strip 63. However when the finger strikes the rear edge ofa core 76, which is so constrained, it forces that core away from thealigning wheel toward the mandrel. Core 76 in turn forces core 78 aheadof it onto the endiof the mandrel, which is held in alignment with thecentral opening of the cores on guides 17 by means ofsupport finger 23.

The length of cam plate 66 is such that pusher finger 71 forces only asingle core onto the mandrel before follower 68 drops over the end ofthe follower onto plate 65. When shaft is returned, that is movedclockwise in Figures 1 and 4, follower 68 moves rearwardly along plate65 and passes freely under cam plate 56, which pivots upwardly about pin90. As long as the motor is -running, the pusher mechanism continues tooperate in this manner, forcing a single core over the end of themandrel with every oscillation of shaft 50.

As the lead core 115' engages support finger 23, that finger pivotsabout pin 90 longitudinally of the mandrel away from guide 17; thismovement is against the force of spring 92. As additional cores areloaded onto the mandrel, lead core 115 is urged toward the foot end 80and other cores engagefinger 23. Should the core slide freely down themandrel, it will be stopped by the retarding means associated withswitch 24, such as a relatively stiff switch finger 114. However,continued operation of the'pusher mechanism eventually forces asufficient number of cores onto the mandrel so that the lead core'ispushed againstfinger 114 depressing the finger and actuating switch 24.This causes motor 15 to be deenergized stopping the operation of thealigning wheel and pusher mechanism.

Since thecores must be in end to end abutment before switch finger 114is tripped, stopping the loading operation, the position of the switchrelative to the head end tudinally of the mandrel as by turning handle116 to rotate switch positioning screw 117.

If the loader is not provided with a mandrel transfer mechanism, anoperator removes the loaded mandrel by lifting it from support 22 andfinger 23. In the event, however, that the loader is provided with atransfer mechanism, switch 24 also actuates solenoid 26. This causesshaft 101 to be rotated through the movementof link 105 connected to thesolenoid armature and throw arm 104. Rotation of shaft 101 forces arms108 against the loaded mandrel 'dislodging it from finger 93 and support22. The loaded mandrel 'slides down inclined surfaces 23 and 111 untilit engagesstops and 112.

Simultaneously, rotation of shaft 101 causes pins 97 and 98 to beshifted so that pins 97 are retracted from the mandrel receiving slotsof the supply rack. Simultaneously, pins 98 are inserted across theslots; thus the lowermost mandrel is free to drop from the slots, whilethe remaining mandrels are restrained by pins 98. The empty mandreldropping from the slots of the supply rack engages arm 108 and is guidedinto the arcuate openingfor cradle, of finger 23 and notch of plate 22,which hold the mandrel in its loading position.

After the loaded mandrel has been displaced from its loading position,switch finger 114 is released from engagement with the lead core so thatsolenoid 26 is deenergized to return shaft 101 to its original position.

Also the motor is reenergized to start the aligning wheel and pushermechanism in operation again. When shaft 101 is returned to its originalposition, the positions of the pins are reversed and pin 97 againextends across the slots to restrain the empty mandrels.

The core loader continues to operate in this manner without requiring anoperator to do anything other than vinandrels in the supply rackyandremoved loaded mandrels from the storage rack. The agitation of thecores within the hopper by the combined action of Wall 39, plate 46, andcore joggers 53 and 54 is completely effective to prevent the cores fromjamming in either "the hopper or aligning wheel.

From the foregoing discussion of the general principles of ourinvention, and disclosure of a preferred embodiment, those skilled inthe art, will readily comprehend the various modifications to which ourinvention is susceptible. .For example, switch 24 can be removed fromdirect circuit connection with motor but can nevertheless be renderedefiective'to control the-opera- .tion in the motor, in cooperation witha second switch 135 and the mandrel shifting mechanism. In such amodification, as best shown in Figure 11, a second switch 135, in seriesconnection with the motor, is mounted adjacent to the foot end of amandrel in the loading position. The second switch is provided with acontact finger 136 disposed for engagement with a mandrel in thatposition. Switch 24 remains in circuit controlling connection withsolenoid 26 of the mandrel shifting mechanism.

In the operation of this modification, .the motor is energized wheneveramandrel is in a loaded position closing the second switch .135. After apredetermined number of cores have been loaded upon the mandrel switch24 is tripped, as explained above, actuating the solenoid to operate thecore shifting mechanism which transfers the loaded mandrel to thestorage rack. As soon as the mandrel is shifted from the loadingposition, the second switch 135 is opened to deenergize the motor,stopping the operation of the aligning wheel and pusher mechanism. Whenanother empty mandrelis inserted in the leading position, either by handor by the mandrel transfer mechanism, the second switch is againclosedto complete the circuit to motor ,15.

Having described our invention we claim:

1. A machine for loading tubular cores on an elongated mandrel, saidmachine cornprising a core receiving hopper, means communicating withthe lowermost portion of said hopper for serially removing corestherefrom, guide means for positioning said cores after they have beenremoved from the hopper, means for support ing a mandrel in alignmentwith. said guide means, means for retarding said cores adjacent to theend of said guide means for forming a succession of cores in endwiseabutment, a pusher mechanism positioned to engage one of said successionof. cores for urging the endmost of said abutting cores from said guidemeans onto said mandrel, and means for stopping the operation of saidpusher mechanism when a predetermined number of cores have been loaded.on a mandrel- 2. A machine for loading tubular cores on. an clongatedmandrel, said machine comprising a core receiving hopper, meanscommunicating with the lowermost portion of said hopper for seriallyremoving cores therefrom, guide means for positioning said cores afterthey have been removed from the hopper, means forjsupporting a mandrelin alignment with said guide means, .-a pusher mechanism for seriallyurging said cores from said guide means onto said mandrel, and means forstopping the operation of said core removing means when a predeterminednumber of cores have been loaded -ment with said cores for seriallyremoving cores therefrom, guide means for forming a succession of coresin endwise abutment after said cores have been removed from the hopper,means for supporting a mandrel in alignment with said guide means, and.a pusher mecha- ,t3isrn adapted to engage one of said cores in endwiseabutment, for serially urging .said ems from said guide means ontosaidmandrel.

4. A machine for loading tubular cores on an .elongated mandrel, .saidmachine comprising a core receivinghopper, means for agitating coreswithin said hopper, means communicating with the lowermost portion ofsaid {hopper for serially removing cores therefrom, ,guide means forpositioning said cores after they have been removedfrom the hopper,means for supporting alman- .drel in a loading position in alignmentwith said guide means, a pusher mechanism for serially urgingsaid-coresfrom said guide means onto said mandrel, means for stopping theoperation of said core removing means ing position to said storage rack,and means for transferring an empty mandrel from the. supply rack to thestorage rack.

5. Amachine for loading a plurality of tubular cores on an elongatedmandrel, said machine comprising a hopper for receiving a plurality ofcores, means for agitating, the cores within said hopper, an aligningwheel mounted for rotary reciprocating movement, a peripheralportion ofsaid aligning wheel being configurated to form a discharge channel forreceiving cores, said aligning wheel being mounted so that saiddischarge channel communicates with said hopper and frictionally engagessaidcores toseri'a'lly remove. said cores from said hopper, a guidetrough disposed adjacent to said discharge channel for receiving coresfrom said channel, means assoeiatedwithsaid guide trough forfrictionally retarding 'sai'd cores to form. a succession .of cores inendwise abutment, means for supporting a mandrel in alignment with theend of said guide trough, and a pusher mechanism including an armadapted to engage one of said succession of cores for urging the endmostof said abutting cores onto the end of said mandrel.

6. A machine for loading a plurality oftubuar-cores on an elongatedmandrel, said machine comprising a hopper for receivingv a plurality ofcores, means for agitating the cores Within said hopper, an aligningwheel mounted for rotary reciprocating movement, a perirheral portion ofsaid aligning wheel being configurated to form a discharge channel forreceiving cores, said aligning wheel being mounted so that saiddischarge channel communicates with said hopper and frictionally engagessaid cores to serially remove said cores from said hopper, a guidetrough disposed adjacent to said discharge channel for receiving coresfrom said channel, means associated with said guide trough forfrictionally retarding said coresto form a succession of cores inendwise abutment, means for supporting a mandrel in alignment with theend of said guide trough, a pusher mechanizm including an arm adapted toengage one of said succession of cores for urging the endmost of saidabutting cores onto the end of said mandrel, a .motor for actuating saidaligning wheel and said pusher mechanism and a switch having a fingerdisposed adjacent said mandrel for engagement with cores mounted thereonat a point remote from said pusher mechanism, said switch being incircuit controlling connection with said motor and being effective todeenergize said motor'when a predetermined number of cores are loaded ona mandrel.

7. A'machine for loading a plurality of tubular cores on an elongatedmandrel, said machine comprising a hopper for receiving a plurality ofcores, means for agi tating the cores within said hopper, an aligningwheel mounted for rotary reciprocating movement, a peripheral portion ofsaid aligning wheel being configurated to form.

adischarge channel for receiving cores, said aligning wheel beingmounted so that said discharge channel communicates with said hopper andfrictionally engages said cores t'cr serially "remove said cores fromsaidhopper, a,

' gnide trough disposed adjacent to said discharge channel for receivingcores from said channel, means associated cores to form a succession ofcores in endwise abutment,

means for supporting a mandrel in alignment with-the end of said guidetrough, a pusher mechanism including 'with said guidetrough forfrictionallypretarding said an arm adapted to engage one of saidsuccession of with cores mounted thereon at a point remote from saidpusher mechanism, said switch being in circuit controlling connectionwith said motor and being effective to deenergize said motor when apredetermined number of cores are loaded on a mandrel, and means forshlftmg said switch longitudinally of said mandrel to vary the number ofcores'loaded thereon. I

8. In a machine for loading a plurality of tubular cores on an elongatedmandrel, each core having a cen-' tral opening for receiving themandrel, a hopper, means for removing cores from the hopper, a guide fordirecting said cores after they have been removed from the hopperfrneansfor supporting an end of said mandrel in alignment with the centralopening of a core in engagement with said guide, said means comprising afinger disposed beneath said mandrel, said finger being pivotallymounted at a point remote from said mandrel in such a manner that theportion of said finger in engagement with said mandrel may be pivotedlongitudinally of said mandrel away from said guide, whereby when a coreis disposed over said mandrel in engagement with said finger, saidfingerpivots a sufficient amount to maintain said mandrel in alignment withthe central opening of a core in engagement with said guide.

9. A machine for loading tubular cores on an elongated mandrel, saidmachine comprising a core receiving hopper, reciprocating meanscommunicating with the lowermost portion of said hopper and infrictional engagement with said cores for serially removing corestherefrom, a shelf disposed within said hopper above said reciprocatingmeans, said shelf being adapted to support a substantial number of thecores disposed within the said hopper, guide means for forming asuccession of cores in endwise abutment after said cores have beenremoved from the hopper, means for supporting a mandrel in alignmentwith said guide means, and a pusher mechanism for serially urging saidcores from said guide means onto said mandrel.

10. A machine for loading tubular cores on an elongated mandrel, saidmachine comprising a core receiving hopper, means for agitating coreswithin said hopper, means communicating with the lowermost portion ofsaid hopper for serially removing cores therefrom, guide means forpositioning said cores after they have been removed from the hopper,means for supporting a man- 'drel in a loading position in alignmentwith said guide means, a pusher mechanism for serially urging said coresfrom said guide means onto said mandrel, means including a switch havinga finger disposed adjacent to a mandrel in said loading position forstopping the operation of said core removing means when a predeterminednumber of cores have been loaded on a mandrel, a supply rack forsupporting empty mandrels, a storage rack for supporting loadedmandrels, means responsive to the actuation of said switch fortransferring a loaded mandrel from said loading position to said storagerack, and means for transferring an empty mandrel from the supply rackto the loading position.

11. A machine for loading tubular cores on an elongated mandrel, saidmachine comprising a core receiving hopper, means for agitating coreswithin said hopper, means communicating with the lowermost portion ofsaid hopper for serially removing cores therefrom, guide meansforpositioning said cores after they have been removed frornthe hopper,means for supporting a mandrel ina loading position in alignmehtwith'said guide means, a pusher mechanism for serially urging said coresfrom said guide means onto said'mandrel, means including a switch havinga finger disposed adjacent to a manply rack for supporting emptymandrels, a storage rack for supporting-loaded mandrels, meansresponsive to the actuation ofsaid switch for transferring a loaded mandrel from said loading position to said storage rack,

and means for transferring anempty mandrel from the supply rack to theloading position, said means for transferring a loaded mandrel to thestorage rack comprising a solenoid in electric connection with saidswitch, a rotary shaft mechanically interconnected with the armature 'ofsaid solenoid, and arms carried by said shaft and disposed forengagement with a mandrel in the loading position upon rotation of saidshaft, said arms being effective upon rotation to force said mandrelfrom said mandrel supporting means and urge it onto said supply rack.

12. A machine for loading tubular cores on an elongated mandrel, saidmachine comprising a core receiving hopper, means for agitating coreswithin said hopper, means communicating with the lowermost portion ofsaid hopper for serially removing cores therefrom, guide means forpositioning said cores after they have been removed from the hopper,means for supporting a mandrel in a loading position in alignment withsaid guide means, a pusher mechanism for serially urging said cores fromsaid guide means onto said mandrel, means including a switch having afinger disposed adjacent to a mandrel in said loading position forstopping the operation of said core removing means when a predeterminednumber of cores have been loaded on a mandrel, a supply rack forsupporting empty mandrels, a storage rack for supporting loadedmandrelsymeans responsive to the actuation of said switch fortransferring a loaded mandrel from said loading position to said storagerack, and means for transferring an empty mandrel from the supply rackto the loading position, said supply rack comprising members defining adownwardly extending slot adapted for engagement with the ends of saidmandrels, said means for transferring an empty mandrel to the loadingposition comprising a solenoid in circuit connection with said switch,two spaced retractable pins mounted for movement into and out of saidslot, the pin nearest the lower end of said slot normally being disposedacross said slot, the other of said pins normally being withdrawn fromsaid slot, and linkage means interconnecting said pins and said solenoidwhereby upon actuation of said solenoid, said first named pin iswithdrawn from the slot and the second named pin is inserted across saidslot.

13. A machine for loading tubular coreson an elongated mandrel, saidmachine comprising a core receiving hopper, means for agitating coreswithin said hopper, means communicating with the lowermost portion ofsaid hopper for serially removing cores thereform, guide means forpositioning said cores after they have been removed from the hopper,means for supporting a man drel in a loading position in alignment withsaid guide means, a pusher mechanism for serially urging said cores fromsaid guide means onto said mandrel, a storage rack for supporting loadedmandrels, switch means responsive to the number of cores loaded on amandrel, means responsive to the activation of said switch means fortransferring a loaded mandrel from said loading position to said storagerack, and means actuable concurrently with said mandrel transferringmeans for stopping the operation of said core removing means. I

14. A machine for loading tubular cores on an elongatedmandrel, saidmachine comprising a'core receiving 13 hopper, means for agitating coreswithin said hopper, means communicating with the lowermost portion ofsaid hopper for serially removing cores therefrom, guide means forpositioning said cores after they have been removed from the hopper,means for supporting a man drel in a loading position in alignment withsaid guide means, a pusher mechanism for serially urging said cores fromsaid guide means onto said mandrel, a storage rack for supporting loadedmandrels, switch means responsive to the number of cores loaded on amandrel, means responsive to the activation of said switch means fortransferring a loaded mandrel from said loading posi- 14 tion to saidstorage rack, and second switch means actu' able by a mandrel in theloading position for controlling the operation of said core removingmeans.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,955,775 Schlitz Apr. 24, 1934 2,108,163 Clark Feb. 15, 1938 2,214,814Hambleton Sept. 17, 1940 2,264,468 Alexander et al Dec. 2, 19412,579,486 Frankwich Dec. 25, 1951 2,649,178 Payne Aug. 18, 1953

